Members of Save Our Rural Town (SORT), Veronica Holland and John Thurkle with, rear from left, Jill West, Bernie Bragg, Kate Le Rossignol, Gwen Smith, Tony Shortis, Helen Mann, Noel Nicholson, John Houston, Marion Thurkle, Margaret Houston, Julia Fitzgerald, Carline Funder and Craig Naisbitt.By Dion Teasdale
THE battle over plans to build a supermarket and retail complex in the heart of Yarra Glen is set to intensify.
A new group, calling itself Save Our Rural Town (SORT), has vowed to fight the proposed development, labelling it inappropriate and a threat to the town’s unique rural town character.
The development, which comprises a large supermarket, space for five retail outlets, car parking and public toilets, has been earmarked for a 2.7-acre site on Bell Street, next door to Yarra Glen’s IGA supermarket. Under the proposal, the development would also include the creation of 22 acres of native parkland, walking tracks and picnic facilities.
SORT spokeswoman Veronica Holland said the group, which is made up of about 25 Yarra Glen and district residents, formed because there was a strong feeling the proposed development was at odds with the character of the town.
“The future of Yarra Glen is at stake,” she said. “Do we, as residents, want it to be another generic suburban shopping centre?”
Ms Holland said the group feared the proposed development would change forever the face of Yarra Glen.
“The supermarket as proposed is huge. It will dwarf all the other shops,” she said.
“If this becomes just another vast shopping mall, then Yarra Glen becomes yet another bland example of suburban mediocrity.”
Ms Holland said SORT was also concerned that many people had given their support to the development because the developer, Chris O’Connor, of Yarra Valley Land Developers, promised to create parkland in the town.
“Beware. In the proposal the parkland needs to be completed only prior to occupation of the building. This means we could have an industrial-sized building, full of inappropriate generic shops and fast food outlets, and the developer will still not have the park landscaped,” she said.
Mr O’Connor rejected Ms Holland’s claim that the town could end up with a new shopping centre and no new parkland.
“SORT is factually incorrect,” he said.
“Our permit requires the parkland and the shopping centre to be done at the same time. The parkland will definitely be delivered.”
Concerns about the size of the supermarket were also misguided, he said.
“The fact is that the supermarket space is similar to other commercial buildings in the town,” he said, adding he was not concerned that an opposition group like SORT had formed.
“There is a lot of support for the development in the town. But, this is a chance for people to have their say, to come and have a look at the plans and make an informed decision,” he said.
Mr O’Connor said the building had been designed to reflect the unique historical and environmental character of Yarra Glen, and that the development would bring long-term social and economic benefits to the town.
He also said creating parkland in the centre of town would help the retail strip to connect with the racecourse, other parks and reserves and the Yarra River.
Ms Holland urged residents to inspect the shopping centre proposal and the planning amendment required for it to get the go ahead.
“Residents need to look carefully at the proposal and decide whether it is good for Yarra Glen, or just good for the developer,” she said.
“They need to make sure that what they believe they are being promised is actually what is going to happen.”
The amendment to allow the rezoning of residential land to accommodate the shopping complex is on display until 28 August in the Shire of Yarra Ranges Community Link offices. It will be available for inspection at Yarra Glen Memorial Hall this Saturday and next Saturday, 19 August, from 9am to noon.
